the Wall

Top Ten losses in 2025

Well, as we turn the corner to a new year, the obligatory looking back has to start. Generally, I am not a fan of looking back because the damage is done and I’d rather look ahead; but with the dead, it is a good time to look back and pay homage to the top ten, or, however many it was that really moved the needle for the past year, so here we go.

14. Hulk Hogan. He made a form of entertainment more entertaining. I won’t hold his end-of-life litigiousness, and politics, against his full body of work.

13. George Foremen. He made a more legitimate form of sport more entertaining. And he got us making pretty decent burgers.

12. Burt Meyer. He got the rest of us in the ring; albeit it a yellow plastic one, with us manipulating a red or blue robot, to try and knock our opponent’s block off.

11. Mark Volman. He may not have made anyone else’s list, save for his family, but this is proof that this is my list. Volman, as half of the Fluorescent Leech and Eddie (not to mention the Turtles), gave me many an evening of great entertainment. He was an important part of my younger life.

10. Bridget Bardot. Every top ten list needs a sex kitten.

9. Gerry Spence. One of the greatest courtroom advocates of my lifetime.

8. Fred Smith. Every top ten list needs a corporate titan and when it absolutely, positively needs to get there, he changed the world -- overnight.

7. Rob Reiner. Most of our lives, if lived properly, go to ten. His went to eleven.

6. Diane Keeton. Great in so many ways.

5. Robert Redford. Actor/activist and such a positive force in both,

4. Steve Cropper. He had so much to do with the soundtrack of so many people’s lives, mine included.

3. Sly Stone. A force in music whose influence is greater than most know or give him credit for.

2. Brian Wilson. He had so much to do with the soundtrack of so many people’s lives, McShane’s included.

1. Pope Francis. When you’re the Pope and you die, your Number 1. I know who’s watching.